Clock

The need for a locally-agreed answer to “what time is it?” pre-dated the adoption of clockwork and so, for example, before the installation of the current clock, Rochdale Town Hall had a fine sundial mounted on the south side of its tower.

Darlington had a large, sand-filled “hourglass” which had to be laboriously turned over every four hours and, for a short time, Gosport boasted a giant candle marked with hours so that the time could be read as the candle burnt down.

Bridlington had an enormous dandelion fixed to the eaves of the Magistrates’ Court.